Fire Safety Policies and Regulations

Prevention

Clemson students shall be required to abide by regulations prescribed by the state fire marshal and the Clemson University Fire Department. Appropriate disciplinary measures will be administered to protect persons and property from fire.

Tampering with firefighting equipment when no emergency exists endangers occupants and damages public property. Any person suspected of sending a false fire alarm will be turned over to the appropriate judicial authority.

University housing foyers, stair landings and hallways will be kept clear of unauthorized items such as furniture, curtains, bicycles and storage containers. No item may be placed in such a way that emergency evacuation of the building is impeded.

Decorations of all types, including Homecoming displays, must be constructed of flame retardant material. University housing curtains must be treated with a flame retardant.

Hallway and stairwell doors provide a critical barrier to the spread of smoke and heat. These doors should not be propped or blocked open at any time.

Christmas trees may not be placed indoors more than 14 days prior to Christmas holidays. All trees must be removed from buildings before occupants vacate during the holidays. All trees shall be treated with flame retardant material and maintained flame resistant regardless of height. All lighting and electrical decoration shall be UL (Underwriters Laboratory) List approved for the intended use. Extension cords shall not be use, installed and/or attached to any decorative lighting.

No flammable liquids are permitted inside University housing. This includes motorized vehicles.

No candles, incense burners, incense in any form, or open flame devices inside University housing.

Upon Discovery of Fire

Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station, if provided, as you move toward the nearest exit, activate the alarm system by pulling down the handle of fire alarm pull box normally located adjacent to the exit door. Activation of the system will signal the Fire Department and sound an evacuation alarm throughout the building in the event of fire. After you have safely evacuated the building, call 911 to inform the Emergency Dispatcher with any and all information regarding the exact location of the fire.

If possible, without risking your safety, isolate the fire by closing doors in the vicinity as you exit the building.

University housing occupants should use good judgment in any attempt to extinguish fire. Placing a lid over the trash can will often extinguisher a fire. In case of small trash fires, use the nearest fire extinguisher to extinguish the blaze. Ask your resident counselor specifically about the firefighting equipment and procedures in your area. Report all missing and/or damaged fire extinguishers to your Resident Assistant.

In case of fire in an electrical appliance, turn off the power only if it is safe to do so. If you elect to extinguish a fire use an ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher. (Never use water on electrical fires! If you encounter extreme heat and/or smoke, do not attempt to fight the fire. The accumulation of toxic smoke alone is deadly.

When firefighters arrive, information about the type of fire, its location and any possibility of persons entrapped by fire should be reported to the incident commander. Unless the firefighters authorize you to assist in evacuation or handling firefighting equipment, go to your designated evacuation area and remain there until the firefighters give permission to return to the building.

Evacuation When Alarm Is SoundedEvacuation of University buildings is mandatory when a fire alarm sounds.

When the alarm sounds close any open windows in your rooms. If possible, take a damp hand towel and flashlight with you in case you encounter smoke or darkness along the evacuation route.

If your room door is closed, do not open it until you feel the surface. If there is heat or thick smoke present, remain in your room and wait for assistance. Open the windows if breathing becomes difficult. Signal the Fire Department by hanging preferably a white towel from the window and by telephoning the dispatch center to indicate your condition and location. Do not break the windows as this may help spread smoke into your room. Your room door will protect you as long as it remains closed. If there is no heat present, open the door slowly, leave the room, closing the door on your way out and escaping through the nearest exit. Avoid smoke at all times. If necessary, change from one stairwell to another to avoid passing through the smoke.

Upon leaving the building, go to your assigned area and remain there until you are given permission to return to the building.

Fire monitors and assistant fire monitors will be appointed for each residence hall. Each monitor will assign a certain area to which his or her hall will evacuate. This area will be at least 100 feet from the building. Roll call will be taken and confirmed to the fire department incident commander on scene.

In the absence of the fire monitor and assistant fire monitor, the first student on a hall to discover a fire or hear the alarm will assume the responsibility of fire monitor and order immediate evacuation of the building.

Fire AlarmsAll persons in University buildings should watch for anyone tampering with pull boxes or any parts of the fire alarm system. According to Section 16-17-570, Code of Laws, State of South Carolina, Misdemeanor to Interfere with Fire Alarm and Police Boxes, states any persons who shall willfully, maliciously or mischievously interfere with, cut or injure any pole, wire, insulator or alarm box, give a false alarm from such box or by use of a telephone, or break the glass in such box of any fire or police alarm system in this state or any of the appliances or apparatus connected therewith shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Setting FiresBecause of the threat to safety and damage to property, setting fires as a prank is considered felony arson. The Arson Task Force of the State Law Enforcement Division is required to investigate all fires that cause personal injury or damage to state property. A person convicted of arson may be sentenced to the penitentiary for not less than two or more than 20 years.